The United States has announced that it will commence training Ukrainian forces on how to utilize and maintain Abrams tanks as part of its efforts to support Ukraine's military, according to a report by AP.
The training is set to begin in the upcoming weeks, with US officials stating that their objective is to have the troops trained by the time the refurbished tanks are prepared for combat.
This comes amid a gathering of defense leaders from various parts of Europe and the world at Ramstein Air Base to facilitate the coordination of delivering weapons and other equipment to Ukraine.
An inflatable decoy of an M1 Abrams tank is displayed during a media presentation in Decin, Czech Republic, on March 6, 2023. - A Czech company producing inflatable weapon decoys such as Himars rocket launchers has seen profits soar since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started last year, its officials said on March 6.
10 Weeks of Training
The training will involve approximately 250 Ukrainian troops, with some tasked to operate the tanks while others will be instructed on how to repair and maintain them. After the initial ten weeks of training, additional instruction on fighting and maneuvering with the tanks may also be offered.
US officials have stated that the 31 tanks sent to the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany in May will not be given to Ukraine for use in the war against Russia.
Instead, 31 M1A1 battle tanks are being refurbished in the US and will be sent to the frontlines when they are well-equipped.
These tanks are being adjusted to meet the specific needs of Ukraine. The training, which is expected to last approximately ten weeks, will not be conducted with the actual tanks used in combat.
The United States has already provided training to around 8,800 Ukrainian troops who have since returned to the battlefield, and approximately 2,500 more are currently undergoing training.
According to AP, this training encompasses basic weapons instruction, combat operations, and equipment maintenance and repair.
Wider Political Strategy
In January, President Joe Biden's administration announced it would send Abrams tanks to Ukraine, despite earlier claims that the tanks were too complex and difficult to maintain and repair.
The decision was made as part of a wider political strategy that permitted Germany to announce its intention to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine while also allowing other allies, such as Poland, to follow suit.
In response to increasing pressure from Ukraine and other stakeholders to accelerate the delivery of tanks, the Biden administration has recently announced that it will expedite the deployment of Abrams tanks by sending a refurbished older model, which can be made operational more quickly.
The goal is to have these 70-ton armored machines deployed in the combat zone by autumn.
Over the winter, Russian and Ukrainian forces have been locked in a stalemate, exchanging minor territorial gains. The most intense clashes have taken place in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russia is struggling to surround the city of Bakhmut in the face of determined Ukrainian resistance.
Nevertheless, both sides are expected to launch more aggressive attacks in the spring, according to AP.
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